The Trojans enter the 2012 season as the number one ranked team in the nation and Barkley returning to school was one of the main reasons for the team's ranking. The senior went 23-38 for 347 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans defeated Hawaii 49-10. The defense and special teams both added scores, but the offense will need to find a running game if this team wants to play for a national title.

The Crimson Tide had the tougher matchup as they played the eighth ranked Michigan Wolverines, but the Tide jumped out early and cruised to a 41-14 win. The Crimson Tide's defense forced three turnovers and held Denard Robinson and the Wolverines' offense to under 300 yards on the night. Quarterback A.J. McCarron completed 11-21 for 199 yards and two scores. The Tide also rushed for over 230 yards in the contest and controlled the game from start to finish.

While all the ranked teams that were favored in the first week of the college football season ended up winning, the year has just begun and teams like USC and Alabama will need to be on their game every week or risk losing their shot at playing in the BCS Championship at the end of the season.